At Peña Txuri Surf Eskola, we’ve spent years watching the magic of surfing transform people of all ages. And if there’s one thing we love, it’s guiding those who decide to learn to surf from scratch. Because starting this sport is much more than just standing on a board: it’s about understanding the sea, respecting it, adapting to its rhythms, and above all, enjoying every wave, every fall, and every bit of progress.
Are you thinking about getting into surfing? This article is for you. Here, we provide a complete guide, based on our experience and philosophy, to help you start with safety, motivation, and most importantly, good vibes.
Índice
Why Learn to Surf? Much More Than a Sport
Starting to surf opens the door to a new way of understanding the sea and life itself. Some of the most important benefits of surfing include:
- Improves your physical condition: Surfing activates your entire body, from your core to your shoulders.
- Connection with nature: Few things compare to watching a sunrise from the water.
- Personal growth: Every session is a challenge and a learning experience.
- Socializing: There are always good vibes in the water… and new friends to be made.
Types of Surfboards: Start with the Right One
Your choice of board can define your progress. In our guide to the types of surfboards, we help you choose the one that best suits you:
- Softboard (foam board): Ideal for starting out. Stable, safe, and easy to paddle.
- Mini-malibu or Funboard: For those who have mastered the basics and want more maneuverability.
- Shortboard: A short, technical, and fast board. Not recommended for beginners.
- Longboard: Ideal if you enjoy smooth maneuvers and small waves.
Essential Equipment: It’s Not Just the Board
Learning to surf also means being well-equipped. What do you need? Here are the essential supplies:
- Wetsuit: Choose one that is appropriate for the water temperature. In the Cantabrian Sea, a 4/3 mm wetsuit is usually ideal for spring and autumn.
- Leash: Essential for not losing your board.
- Wax: Helps you to not slip off.
- Rash guard or UV shirt: Additional sun protection.
Basic Techniques for Learning to Surf
In our surf lessons, we teach you progressively, from the ground up to moving smoothly on the wave. These are the fundamentals:
Paddling Correctly
Before you can surf, you have to get to the lineup! Paddling well is key:
- Use your arms smoothly.
- Keep your chest up and look forward.
- Align your body in the center of the board.
Getting Through the Waves: Duck Dive and Turtle Roll
- Duck dive: A technique for shortboards. You push the nose of the board down and pass under the wave.
- Turtle roll: For larger boards. You flip over and let the board take the impact on top of you.
Catching Waves and the Take Off
The “take off” is the moment of truth. If you’re struggling, here’s how to perfect your take off:
- Paddle hard when you see the wave coming.
- When you feel the push, place your hands, push your chest up, and jump to your feet.
- Keep your knees bent and your eyes looking forward.
Want to practice in a group? Check out our surf lessons for adults and for kids.
Tips to Progress Quickly
- Be consistent: One session a month isn’t enough. Regular practice is key.
- Be patient: Not everything comes quickly, but it will come.
- Observe: Watch how others do it, learn from them.
- Sign up for lessons: There’s nothing like having a good instructor to correct you.
- Take care of your body: Stretch to prevent injuries, train out of the water, and eat well.
Are there several of you who want to start together? Discover our group booking options.
Common Mistakes When Learning to Surf
Avoid these common mistakes when starting to surf:
- Choosing a board that is too small.
- Ignoring the basic rules of etiquette in the water.
- Forcing maneuvers too soon.
- Underestimating the power of the sea and its conditions.
- Not warming up or stretching before and after.
Where to Learn to Surf?
At Peña Txuri Surf Eskola, in Sopelana, we’ve been teaching surfers from scratch for years. Our team of instructors adapts each class to your level and pace, so you can learn while having fun and staying safe. Plus, if you already have a foundation and want to keep improving, we have improvement programs to help you take it to the next level.
We offer:
- Quality equipment.
- Small groups.
- Modern teaching methods.
- A privileged natural setting.
Learning to Surf with Us: More Than Just a Lesson
We don’t just teach you how to stand up on a board. At Peña Txuri, we teach you to understand the sea, to respect it, and to move in it with safety and confidence. Learning to surf here means becoming part of our community that shares waves, laughs, falls… and many stories to remember.
🌊 Are you ready to take the first step?
We’re waiting for you with open arms and boards at the ready. Because the best way to learn to surf… is to start.